Norway leveller leaves Dutch waiting

The Netherlands face a nervous finale to qualifying Group 5 in Switzerland on Tuesday after conceding a last-minute equaliser at home to Norway which prevented the holders confirming their place in the play-offs for the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Shock reverse
Having won their opening five fixtures in the section, the Jong Oranje appeared to be cruising towards the play-offs before they suffered a shock reverse at home to the Swiss on their last competitive outing in May. Foppe de Haan's side – who have won each of the last two finals at this level – looked to have put that behind them when Jonathan De Guzman fired the hosts in front from a free-kick after 53 minutes in Kerkrade. But Norway's Arnar Førsund exposed another chink in the Dutch armoury when finding the net via the crossbar in the final minute. Still, the Netherlands need just a point in Schaffhausen in four days' time to top the section.